Rubenstein ACE Program Enters Ninth Year

DURHAM – For the ninth consecutive year, Duke student-athletes will participate in immersive summer service experiences offered through the Rubenstein Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Program (ACE). This summer, ACE will run international programming in Costa Rica, South Africa, and introduce a new location in Panama.

ACE provides full-funding for selected Duke student-athletes to engage in immersive summer service experiences with international communities. The program is made possible by David Rubenstein’s generous support and Duke Athletics Ticket Sales. The ACE program reflects Duke University’s mission of public service and international engagement. To date, ACE remains the only international community engagement program designed specifically for D-I student-athletes on this scale.

ACE SUMMER 2024 EXPERIENCE:

Thirty-six Duke student-athletes have been selected for the ACE Summer 2024 programs. They will work on collaborative service projects, form relationships across the Duke Athletics community, and connect with communities around the world.  This summer is the first time a one-week program option has been offered in the history of ACE, allowing a greater diversity of student-athletes to participate in ACE while taking summer school classes, fulfilling athletic training obligations, and more.

• *NEW* ACE in Panama
  
  May 5 – May 13
  
  Student-athletes will plan and facilitate an after-school sports youth camp focused on volleyball in two rural Panamanian communities. The program will promote leadership skills and teamwork among the participants. The student-athletes will be based in the small town of Valle de Anton during their program and will visit the local “mariposa” (butterfly) haven. The week will conclude with a friendly volleyball competition between the participating schools, followed by a day in Panama City touring the Casco Viejo (historic city center) and visiting the Panama Canal.
• ACE in Costa Rica
  
  June 16 – June 30
  
  Student-athletes will engage in conservation-focused projects in the Costa Rican village of Gandoca, promoting wildlife conservation and sustainable resource use. Projects include assisting in the maintenance of local organic cocoa farms, conserving the sea turtle population through beach clean-ups and night patrols, and supporting mangrove reforestation….